Driver ignorance and misconceptions around electric cars are still rife in the UK fleet sector, despite the fast-growing number of EVs on sale.

Fleet Evolution founder and managing director Andrew Leech

An electric vehicle attitude survey carried out by Aston University for EV salary sacrifice and fleet management specialist Fleet Evolution found there are still a number of myths prevailing around EVs, particularly with regards to the costs involved and charging.

The survey, which went out to around 10,000 drivers, fleet and HR managers, small businesses and private motorists, asked about the key obstacles in making the transition and saw some 36% of respondents cite cost, 28% said range anxiety and 25% said lack of public charging.

In fact, charging infrastructure was an area where lack of detailed knowledge was clearly apparent amongst most respondents.

Some 67% of those surveyed said they did not live within five minutes of a public charge point. But when further confidential checks were carried out on their postcodes, it was found that some 40% of those who said they did not have a charge point nearby actually had one or more within a five-minute walk.

The survey also showed a lack of awareness on operating costs. Respondents were asked about the typical cost incurred to travel 1,000 electric miles; the average estimate across all respondents was around £50, whereas in reality the cost is nearer £20, according to Fleet Evolution figures.

It also uncovered some quite entrenched attitudes to making the transition to EVs.

Shockingly, when asked about the Government’s ban on the sale of new ICE cars by 2030, more than a quarter (26.7%) of respondents said they would continue to buy used petrol or diesel models for as long as possible after the ban came into force.

When asked how their current car is fuelled or on their plans for their next car, some 40% said diesel, 13.33% said petrol, while 30% said electric and 13% hybrid.

And when quizzed on the effect of the introduction of a local Clean Air Zone on their commuting habits, some 32% said it would have no impact as they would choose to pay the charge on their existing vehicle, while a further 21% said they would switch to public transport rather than an EV.

Fleet Evolution founder and managing director Andrew Leech said it was staggering that over a quarter of people surveyed said they would never switch to an EV, come what may.

“This is rather at odds with the Government’s decision to embrace an all-electric future as laid out in its Road to Zero strategy as it strives to achieve net zero by 2050.

“It was disappointing that cost was still seen as the major barrier to more widespread EV adoption given the wider availability of more affordable electric models.

“There also seemed to be a genuine lack of awareness that an EV acquired under a corporate salary sacrifice scheme is extremely cost and tax efficient given the current tax regime which is highly beneficial for electric cars.

“Not only are EV salary sacrifice schemes extremely advantageous for the driver, they bring multiple benefits to the employer, including National Insurance savings, reduced grey fleet risk and a marked reduction in carbon footprint.”

Leech added that the lack of awareness over charging availability – while not new – overlooks the rapidly growing public charging network and the benefits of workplace charging.

“To try and help businesses make charging more widely available, we are currently offering free installation of two-port chargers at the office car park of any customer with more than five of our cars on their fleet.

“That way, employees without the opportunity for home charging can charge their vehicles whenever they go into the office and help make charging easier and more accessible,” added Leech.

A new study from adtech platform Teads has also found that EV consumers still need education as 42% of potential car buyers aren’t aware of the full benefits of an EV.

Carried out in partnership with Kantar, the global study ran across 1,900 automotive consumers in eight countries, including the UK, to unveil consumer trends driving EV purchases.

It also revealed that environmental consciousness is the top driver to purchase an electric vehicle in EMEA, whereas North American consumers are primarily motivated by fuel savings.

An additional survey showed 89% of consumers looking to buy a car in the next two years, as well as those looking to buy a car in the next six months, are aware of the semiconductor shortage. A total of 31% say the chip shortage will affect their plans to buy a car; specifically 14% of immediate auto intenders globally will consider used cars, 9% will choose from available brands and 8% will delay their car buy, falling to 5% among Europeans. Customers also expect price reductions for longer waiting time, with 31% of global customers expecting such price reductions if they hold off on their new car purchase, increasing to 34% among European auto intenders.